The Stick
While living in Japan, spiritual seeker, author, and entrepreneur William Segal sent this aerogram to his wife in New York City to illustrate his experience with the kyosaku stick, or “Zen stick.”
“About the stick at meditation: It is also used to check on your position and the job of checking is very serious. After each blow, the monk makes a prayer gesture. I have ducked my brother guide and get along by myself, but he will find me soon . . .”
From the book A Voice at the Borders of Silence by William Segal with Marielle Bancou-Segal, edited by Mark Magill, © 2003 by Marielle Bancou-Segal. Reprinted with permission of The Overlook Press.
Share with a Friend
From the Wisdom Collection
Sponsor Logos
Latest Magazine Comments
Besides, I thought he just held up the flower and blinked, which I like better because you can more clearly see the...
Well, I wouldn't say that was the beginning of Zen. But, even if it was, realization isn't Zen and Zen isn't...
Have you ever considered that other people's opinions, rather than being "manifestations of greed, ignorance, hatred...
The precepts and such are only a measure to prevent us from doing harm to ourselves or others, and to calm our minds...